Santiago Past Review
By Claire I (History, Spanish, International Studies with a concentration in Latin American Studies, Trinity University) - abroad from 07/15/2014 to 12/16/2014 with
IFSA: Santiago - Chilean Universities Program, Santiago
With every experience like this you are going to learn so much about yourself , and the world around you.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I went to La Católica (Pontificia Universidad Católica) for two of my classes and took two with my program. While I feel like I learned much more than what I could have learned in the U.S. it was not necessarily in the classroom. Universities in the U.S. really are the best in the world, and we have higher expectations in the classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had to switch host families in the middle of the semester--my first host-mom was completely inappropriate. I do, though, understand to some extent because she was in a lot of pain physically. My second host family was perfect, and I feel like I have a home when I go back. |
| * Food: |
I learned to like rice and ate an avocado everyday. Go to la Vega (the market) for a cheap meal if you get tired of the food (5 months is a long time!). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You are only going to feel integrated with the culture if you put the effort into it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Santiago is a city--keep your guard. The only problems (that I experienced) are pick-pocketing |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I traveled all over the country, went to Peru, and Argentina. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100+ mostly because I decided to travel most weekends. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Grammar |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Chilean Spanish is the hardest to understand. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
